A NEW £400,000 Salvation Army Centre has opened its doors in Whittlesey with the officers in charge hoping it will play a vital part in the community. But the opening of the Church Street centre coincides with news that the doors will be closing on the Ar

A NEW £400,000 Salvation Army Centre has opened its doors in Whittlesey with the officers in charge hoping it will play a vital part in the community.

But the opening of the Church Street centre coincides with news that the doors will be closing on the Army's citadel in March.

Majors Bram and Loraine Holland have been covering both towns and say the decision to close the March building has been taken by headquarters.

Mrs Holland said: "It is in very bad repair, work has been done in the past but it needs a lot of money spending on it. When we took March over we hoped we could do something with it but when people have already gone elsewhere it is very rare they come back."

The couple have been running a luncheon club at March but numbers have dwindled.

Mrs Holland said: "It is very sad because it has been there for over 100 years but these decisions are not taken lightly."

Commenting on the new centre in Whittlesey, Mrs Holland said: "It is absolutely fantastic. I couldn't visualise how wonderful it was going to be."

In addition to Sunday services, it is hoped the centre will be the venue for luncheon clubs, after school activities for youngsters and a club for mums and toddlers.

The centre has replaced a row of ancient cottages which has been used for worship for almost 120 years. It has been funded by the Army's two charity shops in the town and by a whole host of fund-raising activities. An official opening will take place next month.